OFFICIAL Cutting Support Thread (Oh noez, not the evil C word!) (no emo)

[fitlover]

My goal weight is 112-115 but I really just want quad seperation! I am going to take my time however. So far I have been trying to keep my calories at 1500.

I have been doing a lot of burpee-pushups lately and I have to say that it is my favorite kind of cardio hehe. I can't believe people can do 100 in 10 minutes. I am wiped out just doing 15! I am hoping these will aid in fat loss somehow

Hmm...you mean quad/ham separations, or actual separations IN the quad muscle? How long do you plan to maintain it for?

Anyway, good luck with your goals!! Burpees are AWESOME and you will get better at them as you practice and as your stamina/endurance improves

[Echo814]

I post in the Embracing the Suck thread but figured I would pop in here Currently running 1600-1700 cals a day with one planned cheat meal a week, been at it since the 10th of March with a break last weekend when I was in Vegas. Current weight 142.6lbs I started at 139.2 don't know what the eff is up with that, if nothing is lost by next Friday cals will be adjusted to 1550. Cut will be run for a while, I think I have the most fat to lose in this thread so far

[illiniStrive]

I think I have the most fat to lose in this thread so far

False! Lol

[Echo814]

False! Lol

Awe thanks, I have a good 15-20lbs to lose maybe stop at 10 and recomp. No muscle =bad lol.

[fitlover]

Awe thanks, I have a good 15-20lbs to lose maybe stop at 10 and recomp. No muscle =bad lol.

I have a good 15-18 I'd like to whittle down myself

[juliacheh]

I'm not sure how much I have to lose before I see quad separation.
Last year I stopped my cut because I saw that I clearly did not have enough muscle in my upper body and my legs operpower my upper body.
Now I feel like I gained some muscle in upper body and estimate myself to be sitting at 19-20% bf (could be wrong).
I think I will have quad separation (the one that I'm looking for) around 15% bf.
Calculations show that I need to lose 4-5 pounds of pure fat to get there.
We'll see what happens.
Good luck to everybody.

[freebirdmac]

I'm dropping 4-5 pounds of fat to reel in the belly and saddlebags before bulking again. Unlike Julia, I know I will not see quad separation Lol! We have the same stats, but there's a huge difference in look/composition. My lower body tends toward the skinny-fat over hers.

I'm eating between 1600-1800 cals and taking it slow. I need to take this opportunity to do some cardio. I haven't done regular cardio in over 1.5 years. Increasing my VO2 will help my squats, deads, lunges, etc. I swear I'll start.

[juliacheh]

I'm dropping 4-5 pounds of fat to reel in the belly and saddlebags before bulking again. Unlike Julia, I know I will not see quad separation Lol! We have the same stats, but there's a huge difference in look/composition. My lower body tends toward the skinny-fat over hers.

I'm eating between 1600-1800 cals and taking it slow. I need to take this opportunity to do some cardio. I haven't done regular cardio in over 1.5 years. Increasing my VO2 will help my squats, deads, lunges, etc. I swear I'll start.

Freebird, I'm sorry about your injury.
What kind of cardio are you doing?
Do you eat more on the days with cardio or same? I'm never sure about that.
I feel like you gained some muscle in your legs, they look fuller now.

[discdoggie]

I need to take this opportunity to do some cardio. I haven't done regular cardio in over 1.5 years. Increasing my VO2 will help my squats, deads, lunges, etc. I swear I'll start.

Lol. See ya out on the running trails, Mackie!

[freebirdmac]

Freebird, I'm sorry about your injury.
What kind of cardio are you doing?
Do you eat more on the days with cardio or same? I'm never sure about that.
I feel like you gained some muscle in your legs, they look fuller now.

I have an elliptical at home so I'm going to start with that. There's a 45 min spin class on one of my rest days I'd like to go to once I build up a bit of cardio endurance. It's been so long I'm not sure where I'm at. Lifting alone has improved it and my resting heart rate, but I'll test the waters first.

I definitely gained muscle in my legs! If I can gain just as much over the next year I should be in good shape.

Oh, I eat more on legs days, less on other lifting days, the least on rest days. Cardio will be on rest days.

Lol. See ya out on the running trails, Mackie!

Ha! I thought about running again. Going to skip it though and do low impact. I've never had knee problems but my last very heavy routine on leg press showed me where I need to start using knee wraps. I want to keep these puppies happy.

[SJBC]

Hi All, I have been cutting weight since Jan 1 and am down 11 pounds. I was C-H-U-B-B-Y after my 7 month bulk. But I have lifted heavy and kept the protein up during this whole cut and I don't think I have lost much muscle at all. My lifts have stayed the same across the board. I am 5'3" and currently 130 down from 141. I don't think I can cut much longer so I am thinking about going back to maintenance for awhile. Good luck everyone!

[Durbandoll]

I am in on this.Need all the motivation I can get.My problem is that I start cutting and give up after 2 to 3 weeks.Damn cutting sucks big time.

Started on Monday and weighed in at 127.
Will take pics today just for comparison.

[KasaraBrianne]

Hey ladies, quick question! So - I weighed in at 117 this morning. My stomach is super lean, but I'm really unhappy with my lower body. I'm going to continue to cut down to 110 - but at 5'2 isn't it a little unhealthy to go much farther even if I'm not happy with how my ass looks, lol?

[juliacheh]

Hey ladies, quick question! So - I weighed in at 117 this morning. My stomach is super lean, but I'm really unhappy with my lower body. I'm going to continue to cut down to 110 - but at 5'2 isn't it a little unhealthy to go much farther even if I'm not happy with how my ass looks, lol?

You'll get scarily lean and probably lose some muscle in the upper body if you go below that weight. It might take another bulk/cut cycle or even two to even everything out.

[CottageChz]

Hey ladies, quick question! So - I weighed in at 117 this morning. My stomach is super lean, but I'm really unhappy with my lower body. I'm going to continue to cut down to 110 - but at 5'2 isn't it a little unhealthy to go much farther even if I'm not happy with how my ass looks, lol?

I sort of have the same problem. My upper body is REALLY leaning out...a lot. Too bad my ass won't follow it's lead

But I know that I am not going to be happy with the lower half even at then end of this cut. It's part of the game, baby! Always room for improvements!

Like Julia said, I'm hoping to bulk at the end of Summah to help even some places out.

[summertown74]

I'm so happy you started this thread fitlover! I wanted to join embracing the suck, but felt a little like an intruder if I joined so late

I've been cutting since Feb 1. I'm 4'11, I think I weigh 103 (only weigh once a month), and I'm going to cut until June. My sister's getting married in July (yay!) and I wanna look great!

I'm combining crossfit with heavy lifts, and a smidge of trail running with tha dog.

I'm definitely feeling the suckage! So this thread is great.....

Good luck everyone!

Rita

[Echo814]

I have a good 15-18 I'd like to whittle down myself

You don't look like you need to

Ladies I have a question. I have been having a real bad problem with bloating, to the point that the joints in my hands and fingers hurt and my weight shoots up to 147lbs at least twice a week. My diet hasn't really changed other than carb intake, I tend to move some cals from there and put them into healthy fats on a cut. Really confused on whats causing it, just seeing if anyone has an idea.

On another note, trying not to say screw it and go back to maintenance, maybe next week I will see some changes.

[freebirdmac]

You don't look like you need to

Ladies I have a question. I have been having a real bad problem with bloating, to the point that the joints in my hands and fingers hurt and my weight shoots up to 147lbs at least twice a week. My diet hasn't really changed other than carb intake, I tend to move some cals from there and put them into healthy fats on a cut. Really confused on whats causing it, just seeing if anyone has an idea.

On another note, trying not to say screw it and go back to maintenance, maybe next week I will see some changes.

The joint aches and swelling happens to me when I get exposed to hidden corn

[Echo814]

The joint aches and swelling happens to me when I get exposed to hidden corn

Hmm, that's a good point, maybe I am developing food intolerance's? Last night was the latest episode, been drinking a bunch of water and taking dandelion caps to help. I went to an Italian restaurant and had a small serving of pasta and some breaded chicken for my cheat meal, maybe it was something in the ingredients they used?

[freebirdmac]

Hmm, that's a good point, maybe I am developing food intolerance's? Last night was the latest episode, been drinking a bunch of water and taking dandelion caps to help. I went to an Italian restaurant and had a small serving of pasta and some breaded chicken for my cheat meal, maybe it was something in the ingredients they used?

Could be. Might even be the dandelion. I think we are so careful with our food and so aware of our bodies that it makes it easier to realize subtle food issues. No doubt there was soy, corn, sulfites and who know what in that meal.

[Echo814]

Could be. Might even be the dandelion. I think we are so careful with our food and so aware of our bodies that it makes it easier to realize subtle food issues. No doubt there was soy, corn, sulfites and who know what in that meal.

Been taking the dandelion for over a year and no issues before, stopped taking it for over a week and it still happened that week. I think its the soy to be honest, when I tried going vegetarian and ate it a lot it messed me up pretty bad. I was able to eat the the seafood diavlo at the same restraint without an issue so probably something in the breading. I will watch out for soy for a while and see if it continues to happen. Thanks so much

[KasaraBrianne]

You'll get scarily lean and probably lose some muscle in the upper body if you go below that weight. It might take another bulk/cut cycle or even two to even everything out.

That's a good point, I guess if my muscles get big enough, maybe they'll force the fat out hahah. If only it were that easy.

I sort of have the same problem. My upper body is REALLY leaning out...a lot. Too bad my ass won't follow it's lead

But I know that I am not going to be happy with the lower half even at then end of this cut. It's part of the game, baby! Always room for improvements!

Like Julia said, I'm hoping to bulk at the end of Summah to help even some places out.

I know, it sucks that women care so much about their bodies or else I'd be on a dreamerbulk4life. <3

[CottageChz]

I'm so happy you started this thread fitlover! I wanted to join embracing the suck, but felt a little like an intruder if I joined so late

I've been cutting since Feb 1. I'm 4'11, I think I weigh 103 (only weigh once a month), and I'm going to cut until June. My sister's getting married in July (yay!) and I wanna look great!

I'm combining crossfit with heavy lifts, and a smidge of trail running with tha dog.

I'm definitely feeling the suckage! So this thread is great.....

Good luck everyone!

Rita

Please don't feel that way!! The more the merrier! As I said before in that thread when I bumped it, misery loves company

Echo- I notice certain foods have a huge bloating effect on me, so I stay away from them when I don't wanna deal with it. Also I have found Ginger Tea and Fenel Tea help me with bloating... try it!! I mean, they are not a miracle fix but they help!

[Echo814]

Please don't feel that way!! The more the merrier! As I said before in that thread when I bumped it, misery loves company

Echo- I notice certain foods have a huge bloating effect on me, so I stay away from them when I don't wanna deal with it. Also I have found Ginger Tea and Fenel Tea help me with bloating... try it!! I mean, they are not a miracle fix but they help!

I agree summertown, feel free to hit the embracing thread to

It's really weird, I have never noticed this before and over the past two months its been a real big issue. I will try those teas for sure, I know it won't fix it but any relief is welcome

[freebirdmac]

That's a good point, I guess if my muscles get big enough, maybe they'll force the fat out hahah. If only it were that easy.

Julia is exactly right! Cycling between bulking and leaning out is your answer. Once your upper body is really lean, it's time to bulk. Next time you lean out you'll get a bit further. Then do another bulk. It really does work!

[Locavore]

It's funny reading about all of your lean upper bodies. I store more fat in my arms (a full standard deviation more than most women, per my DEXA analysis), so I'm definitely not up against that particular issue. Well, except as it relates to boobs. As in, I have none. My mid section holds a wee bit less fat, my hips/thighs are female-typical. That's all relative distribution, by the way. I thought it was pretty cool information to get (my testing was through a university, so they do aggregate data analysis). I'm kind-of a geek about the numbers. I'm giving myself another scan for my 33rd birthday (5/13).

Mostly posting because I've already eaten all of my cals for the day, my husband's at work, and the kids are not being particularly charming at the moment. What else is there to do?

[squeaks77]

Good day today. We had a family b-day party which usually means lots of beer and junk food. I ate 500 cals worth of good stuff before the party and brought shrimp cocktail (with homemade low carb cocktail sauce) and edamame. I snacked on those things most of the day. My only cheats were one beer and one slice of pizza, but they were well within my cals/macros, so not really a cheat at all. I did not eat one chip or piece of candy! I still had 300 cals when I got home so I had a scrambled egg burrito. I guess the motivation was that I really splurged last weekend and it messed up my loss this week and I don't want to blow it again.

[carbonmade78]

I'll jump in on this thread as I'm on a mission to be less fat before the summer officially hits.

I gained about 20 lbs. after my surgery + recovery so I definitely need to shed the fatz. I'm down almost 4 lbs. since 3/6 so that's great news so far.

Good luck to everyone!

[summertown74]

I'm only eight weeks into my diet and I'm tired of dieting!!

How do you refresh yourself to stay strong? share your tips...let's keep each other inspired!!

Here's my first idea....

Pretend like I'm starting over. Review all of my initial intake & goals, re-read all of my pro's advice, and start over! God I hope this works

[CottageChz]

I'm only eight weeks into my diet and I'm tired of dieting!!

How do you refresh yourself to stay strong? share your tips...let's keep each other inspired!!

Here's my first idea....

Pretend like I'm starting over. Review all of my initial intake & goals, re-read all of my pro's advice, and start over! God I hope this works

That is a really good idea!! I am going to try that as well! I think it would help to keep things fresh & from becoming boring.

One thing I really try to do is keep telling myslef to take things "one day at a time." I get so wrapped up in the diet, especially when it's been going well, that I start thinking about everything ten steps ahead of time. Worrying about tomorrow's meals, prepping them, family get togethers & how I can still stay on my plan, etc etc etc. When I start getting like that I take a step back and remind myself to just take this day by day.